"Here we have a system thatis, by far, too complicated for the brightest of the master scholars to understand. Yet it mercilessly holds accountable it's victims, claiming that they're responsible for fully complying with laws not even the experts understand."

I understand his frustration. I've been there, done that.

The US Tax Code is so Byzantine that no one understands it. If you call the IRS, it's an even bet whether you'll get a correct answer or not, yet you're still held to comply with the law.

This guy is the best argument around for simplifying the tax code. If the Congress wants to change something they could begin by repealing the entire tax code and substituting something less than 10 pages, written in 10th grade English, entirely understandable and plainly written. That's change I could applaud.

Never use or trust the phone when dealing with a government agency for anything of importance. Especially the IRS and ATF. Get _anything_ from them in writing, on their letterhead, and signed. And even that might not be enough but at least it will show an effort at due diligence on your part at your trial...

Simplify the tax code? PawPaw, an entire industry has been built on the very premise that the code can't be understood by laymen.

On the one hand, that industry has over a hundred thousand trained lawyers in it who only exist to get you out of the pitfalls built into the code. Lawyers don't like it when you take away "their" special court.

On the other hand, the IRS is the perfect "heavy hand of government" that adds the fear factor to keep us dweebs in line. Without the IRS, the government would have to find some other fear-inducing thing for us, or else we might feel so empowered as to make OTHER major changes.

I understand that the IRS building in Austin has been the target of bomb attacks in the past. Unless they're subject to the tax code, I doubt very much if it was Islamic terrorists.I finally gave up trying to understand it. I just buy the software, fill in the blanks and take their word for whatever comes out the other end.

About Me

I'm a grandpaw who has lived a life of adventure, and resent having to slow down. I've been a Tank Commander, a Company Commander, an MP. My main career has been law enforcement, with 30 years and counting. At this stage of my life, the most important people in my life call me PawPaw. You've come to PawPaw's House. Sit back and enjoy.
Email me at ddezendorf at yahoo dot com (all spambots must die)